No plans to increase community Gardai disappoints Dep. Jackie Cahill

Deputy Cahill's welcome for €350,00 Community Alert

7 Oct 2016

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Tipperary TD, Jackie Cahill has this week expressed his disappointment that the Tánaiste, and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald was unable to commit to additional community Gardaí for Tipperary.

Based on information received in a parliamentary question to the Minister, it’s uncertain what plans the Minister has for increasing the number of community Gardaí in the county from the current number of 74.

“This is deeply disappointing, and I know right across the county, communities would welcome additional community Gardaí to support preventative Gardaí initiatives,” The Fianna Fail TD told The Tipperary Star this week.

He added, “Community Gardaí work in, and with, communities to help nip crime in the bud before it takes root. While Minister Fitzgerald is committing to increasing the overall number of Gardaí serving in the force, she has been less strong in her commitments to increasing the number of community Gardaí,” said the Thurles man.

In her reply, the Minister states: ‘Community policing, and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.’

But, Deputy Cahill said that the Minister needs to ensure that as many community Gardaí are put on the streets, and in communities. They are a proven crime deterrent, he says, and would help provide peace of mind to communities across Tipperary.

“While I welcome the additional €350,000 funding commitment to the Community Alert Programme, the Minister must understand that it’s Gardaí working in communities that make communities safer ultimately”, Deputy Cahill stated.

“If any community, or community group, are interested in accessing this new funding stream, they should contact me by visiting www.jackiecahill.ie or by calling my office on 0504 24632,” concluded Deputy Cahill, a former member of Tipperary County Council and past President of the ICMSA.

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